By Daryl Bauer, Fisheries Outreach Program Manager
Was going to blog about something else today, but based on “stuff” I have seen on the interwebs recently, I feel compelled to post about sturgeon identification, again.
Yes, you can go to Nebraska’s Missouri River and lower reaches of some of its tributaries and catch some real cool, “primitive” fish. You can even target them if you wish. By far most of those fish will be shovelnose sturgeon. Shovelnose sturgeon can be legally caught and harvested. Have fun!
However, if you are fishing any of the waters I mentioned and might encounter a sturgeon (like if you are fishing worms on the bottom), then YOU BETTER KNOW SOME STURGEON ID! You could also catch pallid or lake sturgeon, both of which are listed as threatened/endangered species and must be released immediately! If you catch a pallid or lake sturgeon it should be handled carefully and quickly released!
Now, I am not going to tell you that you cannot even take a photo. Sure, document the catch. Just make sure you do it quickly. Do not take time to figure out what you caught, find the camera or cell phone. Do not let the fish roll around in the sand or on the bottom of the boat. Hold and handle the fish carefully, horizontally. Remove the hook and get it back in the water! Never place them on a stringer or in a live well.
I am saying this because I have seen examples of improper handling and folks who are not really sure what they caught posted on the internet for all to see! Oh, one clue, if you think you have a new state record shovelnose sturgeon. . . . YOU DON’T!
Since pallid and lake sturgeon are protected species, improper handling alone could gain you a pretty pink ticket. Know what you are catching, what you could potentially catch, and be prepared to handle them properly!
Take a couple minutes to brush up on your sturgeon identification! Here is an excellent video to remind you: